Flower Pattern, Yarn Dyeing, and Knitting Machine Love

It's been a great day! I've been playing with DD, playing with yarn, and even doing a little housework. Now we're about to bake some chocolate brownies, and while we're waiting, try the new Latin flavor Kool-Aids on wool.



FELTED CROCHET FLOWER PATTERN UPDATE!

You'll need worsted or aran weight 100% wool yarn, size J (6.0mm) crochet hook
(or yarn weight of choice, using a hook 1 size larger than recommended), and a yarn needle

To yarn as in photo (enough for 3 flowers): For each color, wind off 36 yards of Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool, tie each in a loose hank, place each in its own microwavable coffee cup, fill with water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, then let soak for 30 mins. Next dissolve 1 packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid in Cherry, Orange, and Pineapple respectively. *Microwave until it starts to boil, rest for a few minutes, repeat from * until water is colorless. Let cool completely, rinse carfully, hang dry out of the sun, and....

pop = popcorn (sc 4 times in same st, remove hook from loop, insert hook into 1st sc, then into loop, yo, and pull through both

Start with an adjustable ring. With this tutorial link, end with step 6.

Rnd 1: ch-1, sc 10 times into ring, ss to 1st sc, tighten ring

Rnd 2: ch-1, (sc, pop) 5 times, ss to 1st sc (10 sts)

Rnd 3: ch-1, 2 sc in each st around, ss to 1st sc (20 sts),
fasten off yarn

Rnd 4: (work entire rnd in front loops only) join new yarn with ss in any st of rnd 3, (ch-2, 2 dc in next st, 2 tc in next st, 2 dc in next st, ch-2, ss in next st) 5 times (5 petals made), fasten off yarn

Rnd 5: (working behind rnd 4, work entire rnd in back loops of rnd 3) join new yarn with ss at same st as the join of rnd 4, (ch-4, 2 dtc in next st, 2 ttc in next st, 2 dtc in next st, ch-4, ss in next st) 5 times (5 petals made), fasten off yarn and weave in ends

These are easily felted by hand. Fill 1 bowl with the hottest water you can stand with gloved hands plus a squirt of liquid dishsoap, and 1 bowl of ice water. *Immerse flower in hot water, rubbing it vigorously for a few minutes, then immerse and rub in ice water for a minute.* Repeat from * to * until felted as desired. Keep the hot water as hot as possible for fastest felting. Press in a towel to remove excess water, and lay flat to dry.

Single color option: Omit "fasten off yarn" and "join new yarn with ss" steps. At beg of rnd 5, begin w/ ss in the back loop of rnd 3

Popcornless option: These can be difficult, so just replace "pop" with "sc" to simplify!

Abbreviations: rnd=round; ch=chain; st=stitch; yo=yarn over; ss=slip stitch; sc=single crochet; dc=double crochet; tc=treble crochet; dtc=double treble crochet; ttc=triple treble crochet

---

Here DD and I dyed some kitchen cotton in the colors of my kitchen: cranberry, pine, & mahogany. I'll make some dishcloths from this, and if they're too pretty, I hope I'll have the nerve to use them.


Here's a little experiment with a lace pattern I slightly modified from Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments. Also, I finally tried a picot bind-off, and I can see great potential! I was thinking about making a shawl from this prototype, perhaps in a Valentine color, but would a heart lace shawl look corny?


You know your man loves you when he buys you yarn and knitting books, but THIS???



My man took a brand-new tool cart (toolheads swear by Mac), modified it by adding a tabletop, and voila, I have a knitting machine worktable. This man doesn't just love me, this man is obsessed with my obsessions. I'm marrying him!